Cowboys feeling sense of urgency
By Scouts, Inc.
Why To Watch
The Cowboys need a win to get back on track in the NFC East race. This is the last of a three-game road trip for the Cowboys, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to the division rival Redskins last week. The Cardinals are in desperate need of a win to lift the cloud of disappointment lingering throughout the franchise. Head coach Dennis Green has been under fire for his lack of production with such an abundance of talent in Arizona. A victory would do wonders for an organization that is pointing fingers in every direction as to who should be shouldering the blame.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: The Cowboys have a very good run game behind the tandem of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Jones has very good speed and vision to get in the secondary and pick up big gains. Barber is a change-of-pace running back and is used in many short-yardage and third-down situations. Barber has very good power and speed to move the chains and plays with very good body lean and has very good hands out of the backfield.
The Cardinals' run defense is anchored by nose tackle Darnell Dockett, who has been criticized this season. Dockett has only one sack and 29 tackles -- not stellar numbers for a player who was recently rewarded with a five-year, $22 million contract. Alongside Dockett is newly acquired defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who returns this week after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. The Cardinals rank in the bottom half of the NFL in rush defense.
Passing: The Cowboys are now led by QB Tony Romo, who has looked good in his two starts under center. He gives the Cowboys mobility behind an offensive line that has not held up very well in pass protection. Former starter Drew Bledsoe was a stationary target, and when protection broke down, there was nowhere for Bledsoe to move. Wide receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens have been big-play targets for Romo. Tight end Jason Witten has also been key for the Cowboys' passing attack.
The Cardinals' secondary is anchored by veteran safety Robert Griffith, a hard-hitter who is smart and makes all the secondary calls. He is complemented by strong safety Adrian Wilson, who has outstanding size and power in his blitz skills from the safety position. Cornerbacks Antrel Rolle and Eric Green are in their second years at corner and will have their hands full against he veteran talent of the Cowboys.
When the Cardinals have the ball
Rushing: The Cardinals have not been able to establish any type of run game all season. RB Edgerrin James has been less than stellar in his time with the Cardinals. James' best game is a 94-yard effort against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3. The Cardinals' offensive line has undergon constant changes as the team looks for some type of consistent play up front. The Cowboys have one of the best run defenses in the NFL anchored by NT Jason Ferguson. With speed at the linebacker spots with Akin Ayodele and Demarcus Ware, the Cowboys should be able to corral the run game of the Cardinals.
Passing: The Cardinals looked good in QB Matt Leinart's first two starts, but have really struggled to give Leinart consistent protection to be effective under pressure. The Cardinals have been without WR Larry Fitzgerald for the past two weeks due to a hamstring injury. In Fitzgerald's absence, there has been a big reliance on WR Anquan Boldin to become the playmaker, but he has been double covered by opponents.
The Cowboys' defense has one of the best cover corners in the NFL in Terence Newman. Newman has good recovery speed and is able to play opposing wide receivers one-on-one, allowing the Cowboys to be aggressive in their defensive calls. Second-year LB Ware has very good speed off the edge and should be able to generate an abundance of pressure on Leinart.
Why To Watch
The Cowboys need a win to get back on track in the NFC East race. This is the last of a three-game road trip for the Cowboys, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to the division rival Redskins last week. The Cardinals are in desperate need of a win to lift the cloud of disappointment lingering throughout the franchise. Head coach Dennis Green has been under fire for his lack of production with such an abundance of talent in Arizona. A victory would do wonders for an organization that is pointing fingers in every direction as to who should be shouldering the blame.
When the Cowboys have the ball
Rushing: The Cowboys have a very good run game behind the tandem of Julius Jones and Marion Barber. Jones has very good speed and vision to get in the secondary and pick up big gains. Barber is a change-of-pace running back and is used in many short-yardage and third-down situations. Barber has very good power and speed to move the chains and plays with very good body lean and has very good hands out of the backfield.
The Cardinals' run defense is anchored by nose tackle Darnell Dockett, who has been criticized this season. Dockett has only one sack and 29 tackles -- not stellar numbers for a player who was recently rewarded with a five-year, $22 million contract. Alongside Dockett is newly acquired defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who returns this week after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. The Cardinals rank in the bottom half of the NFL in rush defense.
Passing: The Cowboys are now led by QB Tony Romo, who has looked good in his two starts under center. He gives the Cowboys mobility behind an offensive line that has not held up very well in pass protection. Former starter Drew Bledsoe was a stationary target, and when protection broke down, there was nowhere for Bledsoe to move. Wide receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens have been big-play targets for Romo. Tight end Jason Witten has also been key for the Cowboys' passing attack.
The Cardinals' secondary is anchored by veteran safety Robert Griffith, a hard-hitter who is smart and makes all the secondary calls. He is complemented by strong safety Adrian Wilson, who has outstanding size and power in his blitz skills from the safety position. Cornerbacks Antrel Rolle and Eric Green are in their second years at corner and will have their hands full against he veteran talent of the Cowboys.
When the Cardinals have the ball
Rushing: The Cardinals have not been able to establish any type of run game all season. RB Edgerrin James has been less than stellar in his time with the Cardinals. James' best game is a 94-yard effort against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3. The Cardinals' offensive line has undergon constant changes as the team looks for some type of consistent play up front. The Cowboys have one of the best run defenses in the NFL anchored by NT Jason Ferguson. With speed at the linebacker spots with Akin Ayodele and Demarcus Ware, the Cowboys should be able to corral the run game of the Cardinals.
Passing: The Cardinals looked good in QB Matt Leinart's first two starts, but have really struggled to give Leinart consistent protection to be effective under pressure. The Cardinals have been without WR Larry Fitzgerald for the past two weeks due to a hamstring injury. In Fitzgerald's absence, there has been a big reliance on WR Anquan Boldin to become the playmaker, but he has been double covered by opponents.
The Cowboys' defense has one of the best cover corners in the NFL in Terence Newman. Newman has good recovery speed and is able to play opposing wide receivers one-on-one, allowing the Cowboys to be aggressive in their defensive calls. Second-year LB Ware has very good speed off the edge and should be able to generate an abundance of pressure on Leinart.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:32 PM
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